The holiday season can be overwhelming and wreak havoc on the positive health habits you worked so hard to achieve. Here are two tips to help guide you through the gauntlet of holiday temptations.
1. Plan ahead for that upcoming party or long day of shopping and visitations. Eat a small snack or meal that includes some protein before leaving home. It will keep you satiated and help you avoid over-consumption of those tempting treats. Some suggested snack ideas include sandwiches or small salads with fish, eggs, soy products, peanut or almond butter, trail mix, hummus.
2. Is your favorite activity unachievable due to holiday cancellations, inclement weather or simply because of the lack of time due to extra holiday tasks? Your home can substitute as an opportune workout environment.
For cardio work, consider 10 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity of any of the following: stair climbing, cleaning the house quickly, jumping rope, dancing to your favorite music. For strength exercises, do living room push-ups or planks, squats, standing leg lifts and heel raises. Grab 2- to 8-pound weights and do 10 minutes of shoulder presses, side lifts, bicep curls, and triceps extensions. Include stretching with mindful breathing throughout your day to prevent muscle stiffness and release tension and stress.
